I've not been to either one. Alpine attracts me because I assume it has a bit of a college town feel to it. I tried hard to apply teaching there and was told a person or peoples would have to leave department. 15 years later, when I was happily settled near The Woodlands, two openings simultaneously became open. The timing wasn't right. I was also positive about Alpine's "relative" closeness to Big Bend.

Watch a YouTube on Ft Davis. At an elevation of about a mile high it can easily get 10 degrees cooler driving up. At that altitude is it difficult to adjust to breathing?

I'm not sure but as a former professor for 7 years I think Alpine might have the resources (university libraries) and friendships with other professors that might tip the scale over Ft Davis but the latter seems more scenic but possibly creative more loneliness.

TIA

Alpine has more stuff for everyday living. Fort Davis is much smaller.

I did not have any breathing issues visiting in Ft. Davis, and I have mild asthma. Alpine still has a small-town feel to it, but with the school there, it just has more amenities than Ft. Davis. It comes down to personal preference, but if it were me, I would vote Alpine. They're both remote, though, so be sure you're comfortable with that. My former boss (in Dallas) retired to Alpine, but moved back after a short time because of that factor.

We are out there at least once a year, often twice a year. We have always stayed in Ft. Davis but when we go again in October I think we will stay in Alpine. Two of the good eating places in Ft. Davis have closed.

So for eating in Davis, there is a pizza place, a so-so Mexican food place and a pretty good bistro behind the Hotel Limpia. The bistro has a pretty limited menu. There is also a small market that makes their own sandwh\iches. We always eat there at least once, good sandwiches. Also have breakfast tacos. Except in west Texas they are call breakfast burritos.

The Hotel Paisano in Marfa just changed hands July 1, so don't know how that will affect the restaurant there.
But it is certainly worth the drive to Marfa to eat at Marfa Burrito. Best burrito we have ever had.

Indian Lodge in the State Park has now reopened. They have a restaurant, I think. But don't know a thing about it.

We used to stay at the Hotel Limpia in Davis but it is getting a little rundown. Last year we stayed at the Butterfield Inn. It was pretty good. I think the place to stay in Alpine is the Maverick Inn, but there is also a Holiday Inn Express and a Hampton Inn.

Those 3 towns form a triangle. About 25 miles between each one. Make the drive between all 3. Most beautiful is drive from Davis to Alpine. Always see antelope between Davis and Marfa. And between Marfa and Alpine is the Marfa Lights. They are a must.

Breathing is not an issue in either location. If you have allergies they should go away. Both are very remote. You really have to embrace living in the middle of nowhere. It's easy for some people. For example, my friends moved to Alpine a few years ago. The husband loved it but the wife couldn't do it so they are back to the hill country. Groceries are expensive. It's worth it to make a monthly or bimonthly trip to Midland to load up at Costco and/or HEB. Just bring a cooler.

I would rent a cheap airbnb for two weeks and see how I felt at the end of it. Both areas are beautiful and quiet. I would choose Alpine since it's bigger and has more restaurants and it's a bit closer to Big Bend.

I didn't realize you were considering moving out to Alpine/Ft. Davis until I re-read your OP. I grew spending summers out there and went there often as I had lots of relatives out there. My wife has grown to love that area. She grew up in San Antonio.

In retirement she thought we could move out there. I convinced her otherwise. Too remote, with lack of convenient health care being a huge draw back.